first

fɜrst

fērst

/ˈfɜːst/

Definition & Meaning of "first"in English

first

ADJECTIVE

(of a person) coming or acting before any other person

Examples

He was the first person to climb the mountain.

1.1

(of a thing) coming before everything else in a series or sequence

early

first

initial

original

primary

Examples

I tasted sushi for the first time in Tokyo.

not happened, made, or experienced before now

inaugural

first-ever

Examples

The first flight of the new aircraft went off without any issues.

taking priority over all others

central

chief

foremost

leading

main

Examples

The safety of the passengers is the pilot 's first priority during a flight.

referring to a title or position indicating that someone holds a high rank or authority within an organization or group

high-level

senior

top

chief

head

Examples

The first officer on the flight assisted the captain in managing the plane.

(of musicians or singers) referring to the highest or leading part in a group

Examples

She proudly sang first soprano during the choir ’s performance at the concert hall.

first

ADVERB

before anything or anyone else in time, order, or importance

Examples

Before starting the project, it 's crucial to plan and outline your goals first.

1.1

before any other action or event takes place

Examples

Let ’s have breakfast first, then we can start packing for the trip.

used to refer to the initial moment or occasion when something happens or is experienced

Examples

I instantly knew we ’d be friends when I first met him at the party.

used to introduce the initial point or statement in a sequence of ideas or arguments

first of all

first off

firstly

to begin with

to start with

Examples

First, we need to discuss the budget before moving on to other topics.

used to indicate one's preference to one option in comparison to another, often to express a strong rejection of a suggestion or alternative

preferably

rather

sooner

volitionally

soon

Examples

He ’d go broke first before asking for financial help from his parents.

First

NOUN

an event or action that has never occurred or been done previously

novelty

Examples

He arrived on time today, which is a first!

the starting point or initial moment when something begins

beginning

dawn

onset

outset

start

Examples

The first of the meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m.

the initial base in baseball that a player runs to after hitting the ball

first base

Examples

He sprinted to first after hitting a sharp ground ball.

the lowest gear in a vehicle or bicycle, used when starting or moving at very slow speeds

first gear

low

low gear

bottom

Examples

He shifted the car into first to climb the steep hill.

the highest academic grade awarded in a British university degree

Dialect

British

Examples

She worked hard throughout university and graduated with a first.

the top ranking or winning position in a competition or match

Examples

She took first in the marathon, crossing the finish line ahead of all the other runners.

the top-tier team of a sports club, often composed of the top players

a-team

Examples

He worked hard to earn a spot on the firsts this season.

the first

the

ðə

dhē

first

fɜ:st

fēst

/ðə fˈɜːst/

the first

PRONOUN

used to refer to the initial person, thing, or occurrence in a sequence or group

Examples

Out of all the competitors, Sarah was the first to cross the finish line.

used to refer to the initial instance of experiencing, hearing, or becoming aware of something

Examples

When he missed the meeting, it was the first I'd seen him be late.

Lexical Tree

firstly

first

Nearby Words

first assistant director

first baseman

first blow is half the battle

Definition & Meaning of "first"in English

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